Line 9 Reversal (Eastern Canadian Refinery Access Initiative)

The Line 9 reversal is the centerpiece of Enbridge’s Eastern Canadian Refinery Access Initiative – a development that will protect the future of Canadian refineries, safeguard jobs, and benefit Canada’s economy as a whole.

Line 9 is an existing 762-mm (30-inch) diameter pipeline with a current capacity of approximately 240,000 barrels per day, extending from Sarnia, Ont., to Montreal. Enbridge has been operating the Line 9 pipeline safely and reliably since 1976.

Originally flowing eastward, Line 9 was reversed in 1998 as foreign oil from areas such as West Africa and the Middle East became more affordable. Currently, Line 9 transports that foreign-sourced crude in a westbound direction (Ontario and Quebec refineries currently process 18% and 90% foreign-sourced crude, respectively).

However, Western Canadian crude is now priced lower than foreign oil. And as a result, Enbridge made a successful regulatory application to the National Energy Board (NEB) over the past two years to reverse the flow of Line 9 once again.

By ensuring a steady, secure, reliable, and more economical supply of Western Canadian crude – which can be sourced from various locations in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Bakken – Enbridge’s Eastern Canadian Refinery Access Initiative will potentially level the playing field for Canadian refineries, protecting their long-term viability and safeguarding jobs. In the bigger picture, the reversal of Line 9 is critical to the security of energy supply in Canada.

Line 9A and 9B Reversal Applications

Enbridge devised a two-step process for the proposed reversal of Line 9. The standalone application for the reversal of the section known as Line 9A, from Sarnia, Ont., to North Westover, Ont., was approved by the NEB in July 2012. Project work was completed in November 2013, and that section of Line 9 is now flowing in a reversed direction. Learn more about the Line 9A Reversal.

Enbridge filed a project application with the NEB for the 639-kilometre section known as Line 9B, running from North Westover, Ont., to Montreal, in November 2012, proposing at the same time to expand the capacity of Line 9 from 240,000 bpd to 300,000 bpd. The NEB approved the Line 9B Reversal and Line 9 Capacity Expansion Project, with conditions, on March 6, 2014. Learn more about the Line 9B Reversal and Line 9 Capacity Expansion Project.

Pipeline Safety

At Enbridge, we connect people to the energy they need to support their quality of life – and we do it safely and reliably.

Our Number 1 priority as a company is the safety of the public and the environment, and the operational reliability of our pipeline systems.

Answering Your Questions

We continue to engage the public in meaningful discussions regarding the Line 9 reversal and capacity expansion. We speak frequently with landowners, municipalities, interested individuals and organizations to provide information and answer questions.

Enbridge submitted a letter to the National Energy Board (NEB) on Oct. 23, 2014, detailing our rigorous approach to isolation valve placement, which is designed to ensure that we not only meet, but exceed regulatory standards.